The annual Day of Mourning on April 28 commemorates workers who have been killed as a result of their jobs. Family survivors will be joined by workers, employers, local labour councils and WorkSafeBC to mark the day with more than 25 ceremonies throughout the province.
The Canadian Labour Congress created and held the first National Day of Mourning ceremony on April 28, 1984, making Canada the first country to formally commemorate workers killed in the workplace. Today, Day of Mourning ceremonies take place around the world and the day is recognized by the federal and provincial governments, as well as by municipalities across B.C.
A public memorial ceremony is being held in Dougall Park (516 Gower Point Rd., Gibsons) this Thursday, April 28, starting at 11 a.m., with presentations from Ron Norgaard, member of the Sunshine Coast Labour Council, and Mark Benoit, occupational safety officer, WorkSafeBC
In 2015, there were a total of 122 work-related deaths in B.C.; 72 were caused by occupational disease primarily resulting from exposure to asbestos decades ago, and 50 resulted from traumatic injuries. There was one work-related death from traumatic injury in the Sunshine Coast Regional District last year.
For more information, see www.dayofmourning.bc.ca and www.labourheritagecentre.ca/domschoolsproject
